Recently I went to see the national theatre production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-time.

I went with my drama class as a school trip. I have to say it is one of the best shows I have ever seen. I don’t want to spoil it too much, but the acting was absolutely brilliant. It is I suppose about autism, though the author of the novel said that it is not specifically a book about that, or any disorder. It is more about being an outsider, and seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way.

That is exactly how the play came across.

The main character is Christopher, aged about fifteen, and I love how the actor portrayed him, and his ‘difficulties’.

The use of physical theatre made the performance unique and it flowed well.

I have read the book and I loved it, I was gripped from the first sentence. Not only was the play gripping but it had elements of comedy, tragedy and suspense. At many points in the play I found myself holding onto my friends arm or hanging off the edge of my seat.

*SPOILER ALERT* my favourite part of the play was when they brought out a puppy at the end, and it was the cutest thing ever.

OK, I have to confess, I have a granny crush on Gary Barlow. Embarrassing and I don’t know why I’m declaring it publicly. It’s ever since I saw him doing his Helmand concert for the troops. Apart from his own performance he was so encouraging and supportive to the fabulous Jonny and the others.

It’s not the sort of ‘let’s throw our knickers crush’ – let’s face it, my sensible M&S ones would drag him to the ground, but I just think he and his music are exceptional.

So of course I tore along to see a preview of the musical THE GIRLS at the Phoenix Theatre on Saturday.

The set was simplicity itself: a moving sky, changing from night to day overhanging a mountain of furniture which in turn became the Yorkshire dales, the flower shop, a kitchen. Robert Jones, the set and costume designer, needs a standing ovation.

Does anyone else though?

We’re all familiar with the story of the Yorkshire WI calendar girls who achieved something extraordinary when the husband of one, Annie in the musical, is diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and dies.

The girls decided to raise money to replace the uncomfortable sofa in the hospital waiting room by pushing their own boundaries and insecurities – namely stripping off, placing iced buns in appropriate places and producing a nude – not naked- calendar.

Since then, the calendar, and the story told in film and on stage of these sublime women has raised £5million for Bloodwise, which supports worldwide research into blood cancer and supports the patients and families of sufferers of this disease.

So, is there really room for a musical? Can it be as fresh, as funny, as moving?

A resounding yes.

Tim Firth and Gary Barlow who were brought up in the same Cheshire village have produced a absolute gem. The music, the lyrics, the acting, the voices were spot on. I would go as far to say the production is inspirational as these women soldier on, bolstered by no-nonsense friendship, one stooping to the pull the other along, and then another doing the same.

It is funny, poignant, as mothers and children grow into the people they could be. The direction by Tim Firth is tight, the balance of light and shade (sadness and friendship) just about perfect. Or so I thought, but sitting in front of us were some of the real Calendar Girls, resplendent in nifty black frocks each festooned with a large sunflower. This is the flower John, the husband of Annie, had likened to Yorkshire women: blooming in their later years, and always following the sun, whatever life throws at them.

I watched their reaction as much as I watched the performance and managed to catch up with Annie, (actually Angela Baker) in the bar later – where else?

We talked of the production, which she loved for its joy, its poignancy and its music and lyrics, so wonderfully performed. Of course it brought back wrenching memories of her beloved John, but she knew that he would have not only loved it, but have applauded that ‘after all this time, the calendar girls are still raising money for the battle against blood cancer.’

For every ticket sold, the charity, bloodwise.org.uk gains.

THE GIRLS originally opened at The Grand Theatre in Leeds where it received standing ovations at every performance. Will it work as well in London?

Yesterday THE GIRLS brought the house down: cheers and applause from start to finish and a massive standing ovation.

I laughed, cried and left the better for it. On the train home, a young man asked us what we really thought of it, because he and his wife had thought of going but went to something else. ‘Shame’ we cried. So they’re going next week.

Michelle Dotrice is unwell with bronchitis so unable to perform yesterday, but crikey, Judith Street, making her West End debut at the young vibrant age of 67, hacked Jessie beautifully. We wish Michelle well, and an extra bit of applause for Jessie, who stripped off and looked great behind her carefully placed knitting.

I told him indoors. He’s hiding the knitting needles as we speak but I’m off to buy cream buns.

If there’s one show to see this spring this is it.

Go, girls, go, and take the blokes too. They’ll love it.

It opens on 28^th January – 22^nd April at The Phoenix Theatre 110 Charing Cross Road, London. WC2H 0JP;

Tickets available for preview now: ATG online or telephone 0844 8717629

In person from Phoenix Theatre

From 24^th February, tickets for the performance are on sale.

www.bloodwise.org.uk

I’m a reader with extraordinarily limited patience. If the author hasn’t written a first page that grabs me, hauls me in, has me salivating to find out more, then forget it. I haven’t time or inclination to work hard. OK, call me grumpy, but that’s my state of play.

Yet again Head of Zeus hasn’t failed me. Find Me by J.S. Monroe does the biz.

So, let’s do a catch up: Five years ago Rosa walked to Cromer pier (I’ve been there on holiday as a child – nice to be able to picture a place). It was night, and she jumped. It was assumed it was suicide – the girl was grieving for her father, she couldn’t cope.

But is this really it?

Jar her boyfriend thinks not. He sees her everywhere, which is actually not an unusual thing if you’ve been chucked or have lost a love, which is why it works well.

You know the thing, there’s that face in the crowd – surely it’s him/her …

But it isn’t.

I can remember high adolescent angst when dumped. Now, when thinking of it I sniff and think – idiot, he didn’t know what he’s missing, and besides now he’s probably bald and fat, whereas I am… Well, OK, not bald but …

Anyway, that’s not the point, so let’s not get picky.

It’s more than this for Jar. He’s absolutely sure that Rosa is alive and then he gets hold of her diary… Then he gets an email from Rosa… Ah, but, we could say, it could have been written by anyone…

So, is it from Rosa?

The structure is interesting. We have Jar in the present, Rosa in the first person in the past –   diary entries? So a picture is forming. Monroe builds the tension well, holding back information but feeding us enough to believe she is alive, that there might be a threat, but is there?

This is an intriguing novel, lots of twists and turns and a dark underbelly. I enjoyed it. It would be a good film, as Monroe’s third, Dead Spy Running will be, and which is currently in development.

One more thing. Can I be Kirsten (I gather a make up artist can work miracles)?

Who’s Kirsten? Read the book and find out. You won’t regret it.

Find Me by J.S. Monroe. pub Head of Zeus. hb. £12.99

Why on earth would anyone do this?

Fraser Corsan will be facing the gravity defying challenge in a bid to raise £1million for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity –  a cause close to his heart

When the two grannies, who run Words for the Wounded with me, did a fundraising sky dive what heroes we thought ourselves. Well, this totally puts us in our place.

In May 2017, British Wingsuit jumper and avid Armed Forces supporter Fraser Corsan, is travelling to the USA and Canada to attempt to break four of the biggest world records in Wingsuit flying. Jumping from a height of over 40,000 feet in what is called ‘Project Cirrus’, Fraser aims to break the distance record of 19 miles, speed record of more than 234 mph and the flight duration record of 9.06 minutes, whilst also breaking the current altitude record of 37,256ft, to raise £1million for SSAFA along the way.

Sixteen years ago, Fraser Corsan was one of only 15 wingsuit pilots globally. Since then, he has completed 1,300 flights, but this year’s extreme challenge is one of the biggest tests of his career. The jump will entail exiting an aircraft at over 40,000ft, whilst battling temperatures of minus 65 degrees Celsius and winds of up to 200 mph.

As I say, puts the grannies efforts into the shade.

Fraser has worked closely with the UK Armed Forces his entire career and is passionate about supporting SSAFA in the work it does. Frost is well aware of the invaluable work SSAFA does, and this vital fundraising target of £1million, will help to positively change the lives of serving personnel, veterans and their families through the incredible work that they do every day. Funds raised will go to support SSAFA’s work in the community through volunteer caseworkers and SSAFA’s confidential helpline Forcesline. It will also help SSAFA to assist service leavers with the difficult transition process out of the Forces via its mentoring scheme and provide welfare services for those veterans of working age who have struggled with the adjustment to civilian life.

In the run up to the jump, Fraser will be embarking on intense muscle and cardio training sessions, in addition to a practicing a set of specific safety drills in the event of Oxygen system, parachute or wingsuit failure. Multiple training flights over UK airfields are taking place when the weather permits, and Fraser also intends to do 100 further endurance flights to fine polish the technology and his flying style to ensure he reaches his goal.

Fraser’s attempts will be supported by Fujitsu, his current employer, and despite his years of experience in a wingsuit, this is a challenge that is only made possible through the support of innovative and revolutionary technology, developed by a dedicated team of specialists across a number of industries. His challenge exemplifies what Fujitsu is about – technology and humans working together to achieve breakthrough results, safely and securely, innovating through technology to achieve more.

Fraser comments: “This is going to be a testing challenge both physically and mentally in my bid to make wingsuit history. However, I am wholeheartedly committed to reaching my fundraising goal in knowing that the £1million target has the potential to help to change the lives of thousands of current serving personnel, veterans and their families through SSAFA’s amazing work”.

Tegan Jones, SSAFA Director of Fundraising said: “We are amazed by Fraser’s objective of smashing four World Records and trying to raise the £1million for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. All funds raised will go toward supporting anyone who is serving or has ever served in the British Armed Forces, and their families.”

Frost Magazine and the three grannies of Words for the Wounded wish Fraser all the luck in the world, and want to hear just how it went, how he felt, and how small and beautiful the world looks.

Come on, let’s all help him reach that £1million pound mark.

To donate to SSAFA in support of Fraser’s incredible World Record attempts, visit http://projectcirrus.com/ where all donations raised will go directly to SSAFA.

A few years ago I was having coffee with my agent at St Pancras. Across a crowded room I spotted my all time favourite author, Frederick Forsyth, also having coffee, or perhaps, sensibly, something stronger.

Of course I hyperventilated and Viv said, ‘Go and say hello, you’re with the same publishing house after all.’

I bottled it. What if he waved me away? What if he thought I wanted a selfie?

Well, I did, but…

Guess what – after long distance hero worship HE IS COMING TO OUR WforW LITFEST DAY ON MARCH 25TH. Sorry, I’m shouting.

You see, I had written to ask if he would send us a message of support for our Words for the Wounded’s LitFest Day held annually to raise funds in support of wounded troops and to give opportunities for writers and readers. He said, ‘I’ll come and talk instead.’ More hyperventilating.

We are all utterly thrilled. We already have the most amazing line-up and Frederick is the cherry on top of the cake. Not sure if he will like that analogy, but there you go.

First thing in the morning I will be asking him about his memoir The Outsider which I have just finished reading, and which explains not just the real happenings behind his novels, but much much more – it’s exciting, funny, moving, just like his novels.

We also have the lovely jubbley WforW patron, Captain Ian Thornton, talking just before lunch, of Helmand: Diaries of Frontline soldiers. In the middle of the morning, like the jam in the middle of the sandwich, we have Dr Kathleen Thompson, Frost’s health correspondent and Award winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope. Her journey with breast cancer, and how to obtain good treatment. Dr Kathleen will talk of how to help promote your books and be around for questions throughout the day.

I have to say we do excel with our lunch, planned by Jan Speedie, with the odd cake or salad made by me and Penny Deacon and my family will be looking after us. The wine flows, but you’ll need to stay awake for the afternoon speakers though they’re so interesting, it won’t be a problem.

The afternoon is a similar feast with – Isabelle Grey, the acclaimed screenwriter, author and all time good sport. She’s written for many excellent television series and for film.  CJ Carver the top notch crime writer (love her work) will be speaking next and after tea, an editor, (used to be mine) with whom I’ve had too many fun lunches that lead to a headache. Gillian Holmes will be talking about how to grab an editor’s attention with your opening chapters.

We have exhibitions by photographer Cire Simone and artist Sharon Bennett.

As always, there’s much of interest for readers and writers, and it’s a great networking day. 100% of everything raised goes to those in need, as it does all the time because the grannies absorb all expenses.

Come and meet us, we don’t bite, and we’d love to see you.

WforW LitFest Day: 25^th March. Downley Community Centre, Downley, High Wycombe HP13 5TR. 9.30 – 5.30.

To secure your ticket, and find out more: www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk